SUMMARY: Constantly clearing your throat? Coughing at night? You might be experiencing post nasal drip. Here are some tips how to kick the nosy problem.

Posted: September 20, 2013

Although the summertime sniffles may have passed, the fall brings on a whole new set of stinkin' allergies (or not stinkin' if you can't smell anything). If you've been feeling that urge to constantly clear your throat or are coughing at night, you might be experiencing post nasal drip.

Post nasal drip occurs when the glands in your nose and throat are making too much mucus, and often it is triggered by colds, sinus infections, spicy foods, pregnancy and allergies. Think of it as basically a runny nose, except the mucus runs into the back of the throat instead.

Yes, a tad unappetizing, but people going through it will know the feeling. It may leave a bad taste in your mouth and keep you digging through your pockets for a mint to fight bad breath.

It may seem counterintuitive, but mucus production is actually good for our health. It helps trap bacteria and viruses before they can attack the body. When working properly, the mucus falls into the back of the throat without us even knowing. Yet when allergies strike, among other causes, our mucus levels can get maladjusted.

How to diagnose post nasal drip To find out with certainty, head to your doctor or allergist to get checked out. He or she will ask for symptoms and signs, and then likely conduct a skin test that is quick and reliable. This will help you pinpoint what is wrong, and make moves to treat it.

What to avoid -Stay away from drinking milk since it triggers mucus production.

-To add to the long list of its harmful effects, smoking and even second-hand smoke can irritate mucus glands and cause damaging inflammation. It is also among the causes of bad breath.

-Long-term usage of decongestants and antihistamines may come back to bite you. If used too much, you will begin to rely on them for cleared and easy breathing. Follow the instructions to prevent such problems.